The inscription on the back of this stele identifies the large Buddha depicted on the front as Dipankara, who is said to have lived before the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. He is attended by four rows of patrons wearing the clothing of the Xianbei, the non-Han peoples who established the Northern Wei dynasty in northern China in the fourth century. The smaller figure standing below the Buddha’s left hand may represent the young Sumedha, who was destined to become the historical Buddha in another lifetime. This large sculpture’s imagery is intended to illustrate the possibility of enlightenment in a future life. In Buddhism, the achievement of this advanced spiritual state is the goal of all practitioners.

The central figure with crossed ankles on the back of the stele recalls similar figures in the collection from the Yungang cave temple complex. This is probably Maitreya, the future Buddha, whose worship became widespread in the fifth and sixth centuries.